Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellow

Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center

Climate Impacts Group

Position Description

The University of Washington (UW) in partnership with the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) seeks a postdoctoral researcher as part of the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center's Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows (CAPF) Program. The CAPF postdoctoral researcher will be based at the University of Montana but will be supervised and mentored from the NW CASC at the University of Washington. The CAPF scholar will lead regionally focused research projects related to climate-fire dynamics. In addition, the CAPF scholar will collaborate with other CAPF scholars from across the country on national-scale research and synthesis on climate-fire issues. Finally, the CAPF scholar will participate in regular training and professional development opportunities, including training on translational ecology and the co-production of actionable science with natural resource decision-makers, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration across academic disciplines. 

This post-doctoral position is supported through the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows (CAPF) Program established by the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NRCASC). The CAPF program is established to support management-relevant research and scientific synthesis of emerging research needs related to climate impacts on fish, wildlife and ecosystems. The objective of the CAPF Program is to provide regional-to-national syntheses of climate change impacts on fire regimes, fire management and fire response; explore resulting impacts on fish, wildlife and ecosystems; and provide the scientific research necessary to help managers adapt to these changes. More information about the CAPF program is available here: https://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/climate-adaptation-science-centers/science/casc-network-climate-adaptation-scholars. 

REGIONALLY RELEVANT RESEARCH: The CAPF scholar will conduct research related to climate/fire/ecosystem dynamics and associated natural resource management in the Northwestern US. Possible research topics may include (but are not limited to) climate impacts and management responses related to post-fire vegetation/ecosystem transitions, threshold behavior in post-fire ecosystems, annual climate variability and links to disturbance and ecosystem dynamics and changing fire regimes. Examples of regionally relevant research topics are described in the actionable science priorities identified by the NW CASC's Deep Dive on managing post-fire vegetation transitions in a changing climate: https://nwcasc.uw.edu/resources/ecological-transformation-deep-dive/.  We are looking for a talented scientist with a passion for delivering research that informs decision-making, whose interests broadly align with those of the PIs and the NW CASC. 

NATIONAL-SCALE RESEARCH: As part of a national cohort of postdoctoral Scholars, the CAPF scholar will also engage in national-scale research. This will include participation in a national synthesis research effort, where Scholars will collaborate with members of the NRCASC network to produce national synthesis products. 

TRAINING: As part of the CAPF program, and through work with mentors at the NW CASC, the CAPF scholar will also engage in training, professional development and mentoring activities in topics like translational ecology and the co-production of actionable science with natural resource decision-makers, team science and interdisciplinary collaboration across academic disciplines, creativity in research, science facilitation, traditional ecological knowledge and science communication. 

In addition to research duties, collaborations with the CAPF cohort, and interactions with natural resource, fire, or other managers, the successful candidate must manage data and metadata for the project following USGS protocols, document research status through regular reporting, and complete other organizational duties as assigned in a professional and timely manner.  Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

TERMS: This two-year position (with second-year funding contingent on satisfactory completion of responsibilities and continuation of funding) will start as soon as possible. It will be based at the University of Montana with limited travel to the NW CASC at the University of Washington. The position includes competitive benefits and funding for supplies and travel.

UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY: 

The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).

The University of Montana's College of Forestry and Conservation is one of the nation's top natural resource institutions. The College's faculty and students conduct basic and applied research in a wide range of natural resource disciplines and have ready access to Montana's extensive wild and working lands for natural laboratories and recreational opportunities. The City of Missoula (population approx. 70,000) is regularly featured as one of the most livable cities in the United States.

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Center is housed in the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington.  The Climate Impacts Group is a member of EarthLab.  EarthLab catalyzes innovative collaborations between the University of Washington and public, private and nonprofit sectors to convert knowledge to action to solve our biggest environmental challenges. Through these partnerships, EarthLab inspires increased engagement and urgency for transdisciplinary, community-based research and action to adapt to and mitigate climate threats and build a transition to a just and equitable future.

EarthLab acknowledges the systemic racism that exists in the environmental field and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment for all our employees where all voices are considered and valued. Thus, we are seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to equity and justice and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

QUALIFICATIONS: Competitive candidates will have:

1. A PhD in a relevant discipline including ecology, climate science, geography, or other relevant earth sciences.
2. A strong record of relevant peer-reviewed publications, data products, and commitment to scholarship.
3. Demonstrated capacity to conduct quantitative analysis with geo-spatial data including (but not limited to) experience with modern data analytics using R or Python, machine-learning techniques, numerical simulation approaches, and experience with physical process-based models.
4. The ability to effectively communicate research findings with scientists and practitioners alike.
5. Experience (or a demonstrated interest in) working with decision-makers to produce actionable science for informing natural resource management.
6. A track record of independence, leadership, motivation, and problem-solving skills.

INQIRIES: Applicants with inquiries regarding this position should contact: Dr. Solomon Dobrowski (solomon.dobrowski@umontana.edu) and Dr. Meade Krosby (mkrosby@uw.edu).  All applications should be submitted through Interfolio.  Application packages should include the following:

1. Cover letter (3 page max) outlining interest in the position and how it aligns with career goals, research interests, and interest and/or experience in the coproduction of actionable science.
2. CV
3. Two relevant publications
4. List of three references

For questions about potential disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the UW's Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450, or 206-543-6452 (TTY), or dso@uw.edu. 

This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied at which point we will invite finalists to interview for the position. The position will be filled as soon as possible.  Applications received by February 28, 2021 will be prioritized.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University's Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member's academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information

Under Washington State Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.